Carpet installation device for doorjambs

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a carpet installation device for attaching carpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb. The carpet installation device includes an elongated strip having top and bottom surfaces. The strip includes first and second outer wing sections, and a middle portion located between the first and second wing sections. The middle portion has first and second opposite ends, wherein the first and second opposite ends of the middle portion are respectively joined to the first and second wing sections. The middle portion and the first and second outer wing sections respectively define first and second inner angles. The strip is configured for positioning generally adjacent the peripheral edges of a doorjamb and further includes means for securing a section of carpet to the top surface of the strip, and means for fastening the strip to a floor surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carpet installation devices. Morespecifically, this invention relates to a carpet installation device forattaching carpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral edges of adoorjamb.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fitting carpets is a time consuming exercise. While homeowners do notusually have to account for time spent fitting a carpet, the same is nottrue for professional carpet fitters and carpet fitting businesses. Putanother way, for professional carpet fitting staff, there is an everpresent need to lay carpets more efficiently. For example, carpetfitters typically cut pieces from a single long piece of tack-strip andfit the individually cut pieces around the doorjamb, which is atime-consuming exercise and is wasteful because some pieces are oftennot used. Thus, fitting carpets around doorjambs, i.e., door frames,presents a particular problem. A need exists for an efficient means offitting a carpet around a doorjamb.

The Applicant is unaware of inventions or patents, taken either singlyor in combination, which are seen to describe the instant invention asclaimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a carpet installation device for attachingcarpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb.The carpet installation device includes an elongated strip having topand bottom surfaces. The strip includes first and second outer wingsections, and a middle portion located between the first and second wingsections. The middle portion has first and second opposite ends, whereinthe first and second opposite ends of the middle portion arerespectively joined to the first and second wing sections. The middleportion and the first and second outer wing sections respectively definefirst and second inner angles. The strip is configured for positioninggenerally adjacent the peripheral edges of a doorjamb and furtherincludes means for securing a section of carpet to the top surface ofthe strip, and means for fastening the strip to a floor surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a carpet installationdevice, according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carpet installation device of FIG. 1with the bottom surface thereof shown in outline.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carpet installation device of FIG. 1fitted around an oversized doorjamb.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the of the carpet installation device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the carpet installation device of FIG. 1 fittedaround an oversized doorjamb.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the carpet installation device of FIG. 1showing trigonometric features thereof.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the carpet installation device according tothe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the carpet installation device according tothe present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is directed to carpet installation devices. Morespecifically, this invention is a carpet installation device forattaching carpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral edges of adoorjamb.

The carpet installation device of the present invention is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 100.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective environmental of a carpet installation device100, according to the invention. The carpet installation device 100 hasbeen placed on a floor surface 120 around a doorjamb 140. The carpetinstallation device 100 comprises an elongated strip 160. The elongatedstrip 160 has top and bottom surfaces 180 and 200, respectively. Theelongated strip is configured for positioning generally adjacent theperipheral edges of a doorjamb 140.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the elongated strip 160 comprises firstwing section 220 and second 240 outer wing sections, and a middleportion 260 located between the first and second wing sections 220 and240. The middle portion 260 has first and second opposite ends 280 and300. The first 280 and second 300 opposite ends are respectively joinedto the first 220 and second 240 wing sections. The middle portion 260and the first 220 and second 240 outer wing sections respectively definefirst α₁ and second α₂ inner angles (see FIG. 5).

It should be understood that the construction of the strip 160 can varywithout detracting from the spirit of the present invention as definedin the claims section attached hereto. For example, the strip 160 may becontinuous, i.e., the middle wing sections 220 and 240 are permanentlyattached to the opposite ends 280 and 300 of middle portion 260.Alternatively, the first 220 and second 240 wing sections may beattached separately to the middle portion 260.

A plurality of tack elements 360 protrudes from the top surface 180 ofthe elongated strip 160, i.e., the plurality of tack elements 360 arepositioned or received in the top surface 180 such that tack elements360 have exposed sharp tapered ends for gripping to the underside of,for example, a carpet (not shown). The tack elements 360 can be tiltedsuch that the tack elements 360 are tilted inwards such that when thecarpet installation device 100 is fitted around a doorjamb 140, the tackelements 160 tilt towards the doorjamb 140 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). The tackelements 360 can also be used to grip the underside of carpet underlay.

A plurality of nail elements 380 are positioned or received in the topsurface 180 of strip 160 and capable of being hammered through strip 160and protrude from bottom surface 200 to enable the strip 160 to adhereto floor surface 120.

Each of the first α₁ and second α₂ inner angles can independently vary(i.e., can have similar or dissimilar angles) in the range between about90° and about 150° or in the range between about 95° and about 130° orin the range between about 100° and about 120°. For example, both the α₁and second α₂ inner angles could both have similar magnitude valuesselected from the group consisting of: 90° (±4°), 95° (±4°), 100° (±4°),105° (±4°), 110° (±4°), 115° (±4°), 120°(±4°), 125°(±4°), 130°(±4°),135°(±4°), 140° (±4°), 145° (±4°), and 150° (±4°). The α₁ and α₂ innerangles can have similar magnitudes; for example, α₁ and X2 could bothhave dissimilar magnitude values selected from the group consisting of:90° (±4°), 95° (±4°), 100°(±4°), 105° (±4°), 110° (±4°), 115° (±4°),120° (±4°), 125° (±4°), 130° (±4°), 135° (±4°), 140° (±4°), 145° (±4°),and 150° (±4°).

For example, each of the first α₁ and second α₂ inner angles canindependently vary (i.e., can have similar or dissimilar angles) in therange between about 95° and about 150°. For example, both the α₁ andsecond α₂ inner angles could both have similar magnitude values selectedfrom the group consisting of: 95° (±4°), 100° (±4°), 105° (±4°), 110°(±4°), 115° (±4°), 120° (±4°), 125° (±4°), 130° (±4°), 135° (±4°), 140°(±4°), 145° (±4°), and 150° (±4°). The α₁ and α₂ inner angles can havesimilar magnitudes; for example, α₁ and α₂ could both have dissimilarmagnitude values selected from the group consisting of: 95° (±4°), 100°(±4°), 105° (±4°), 110° (±4°), 115° (±4°), 120° (±4°), 125° (±4°), 130°(±4°), 135° (±4°), 140° (±4°), 145° (+4°), and 150° (±4°).

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the first and second inner angles α₁ andα₂ are separated by distance d₁ (see FIG. 5). When each of the first α₁and second α₂ inner angles are between about 95° and 150°, the device100 can be fitted around a wider than expected doorjamb 140′ (see FIG.3), i.e., around a doorjamb 140′ with a width w (see FIG. 5), where w isgreater than d₁. For example, when α₁ and α₂ are approximately equal inmagnitude and in the range between about 95° and about 135°, thedoorjamb 140′ can have a width w (see FIG. 5) based on virtual triangleABC (see FIG. 6) of about:w=d _(i)+((0.5)tan α₃*AB)

where, α₃ is angle ∠ABC, wherein α₃=(α₂−90°) where, AB is adjacent toangle α₃ orw=d _(i)+(0.5)√(BC²−AB²)

where, BC is the distance between B and C, i.e., the hypotenuse oftriangle ABC, and

where, AB is the distance between A and B.

When inner angles α₁ and α₂ are greater than 90°, for example, betweenabout 100° to about 115° , can be fitted around a doorjamb 140′ with awidth w greater than d₁ such that the strip 160 would not be able towrap around the doorjamb 140′ with inner angles of 90° or less.

The carpet installation device 100 can be made of any suitable materialsuch as a material selected from the group consisting of: wood, plywood,plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester, polyether, polyureas,polystyrene, and any combination thereof.

The carpet installation device 100 can be attached to a section ofcarpet using the plurality of tack elements 360 received in andprotruding from the top surface 180 of the strip 160. Alternatively, anysuitable adhesive can be applied to the top surface 180 for gripping theundersurface of a section of carpet in close proximity to a doorjamb140. In addition, a combination of adhesive or tack elements 360 can beused to attach the strip 160 to a section of carpet.

The device 100 can be attached to the floor surface 120 using anysuitable adhesive to attach the bottom surface 200 of the strip 160 tofloor 120. Alternatively, a plurality of nail elements 380 received inthe top surface 180 of strip 160 and capable of being hammered throughthe strip 160 to protrude from the bottom surface 200 to enable thestrip 160 to adhere to a floor surface 120. The tack 360 and nail 380elements can be spaced at predetermined positions.

The tack elements 360 can protrude vertically upwards at a perpendicularangle (i.e., at 90° ) with respect to top surface 180. Alternatively,the tack elements 360 can protrude individually at any predeterminedangle between about 15° and about 80° or between about 15° and about 80°with respect to the top surface 180. The tack elements 360 can alsoprotrude at predetermined angles such as 30° or about 45°.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are bottom views of the carpet installation device 100.While the dimensions of the carpet installation device 100 can vary, ina preferred embodiment the approximate dimensions are as shown in TABLE1 below. TABLE 1 (refer to FIG. 8) (Non-limiting examples of dimensions)Approximate range of Non-limiting example Side lengths in inches lengthsin inches a 2 to 3¼ 2⅞ a′ 2 to 3¼ 2⅞ b ¾ to 1½ 1 b′ ¾ to 1½ 1 c 3½ to 54 3/16 c′ 3½ to 5 4 3/16 d 1¼ to 2¼ 1⅞ d′ 1¼ to 2¼ 1⅞ e 1¼ to 2¼ 1¾ e′1¼ to 2¼ 1¾ f ¼ to ⅝ ⅜ f′ ¼ to ⅝ ⅜ g 2 to 3¼ 2¾ g′ 2 to 3¼ 2¾

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A carpet installation device for attaching carpeting to a floorsurface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb, said devicecomprising: an elongated strip, said strip having top and bottomsurfaces, said strip comprising first and second outer wing sections,and a middle portion located between said first and second wingsections, said middle portion having first and second opposite ends,wherein said first and second opposite ends of said middle portion arerespectively joined to said first and second wing sections, wherein saidmiddle portion and said first and second outer wing sectionsrespectively define first and second inner angles, and wherein saidstrip is configured for positioning generally adjacent the peripheraledges of a doorjamb; means for securing a section of carpet to said topsurface of-said strip; and means for fastening said strip to a floorsurface.
 2. The carpet installation device according to claim 1, whereineach of said first and second inner angles are in the range betweenabout 90° and about 150°.
 3. The carpet installation device according toclaim 1, wherein each of said first and second inner angles have similarmagnitude values selected from the group consisting of: 95° (±4°), 100°(±4°), 105° (±4°), 110° (±4°), 115° (±4°), 120° (+4°), 125° (±4°), 130°(±4°), 135° (+4°), 140° (±4°), 145° (+4°), and 150° (±4°).
 4. The carpetinstallation device according to claim 1, wherein each of said first andsecond inner angles have dissimilar magnitude values selected from thegroup consisting of: 95° (±4°), 100° (±4°), 105° (±4°), 110° (±4°), 115°(±4° ), 120° (±4°), 125° (±4°), 130° (±4° ), 135° (±4°), 140° (±4°),145° (±4°), and 150° (±4°).
 5. The carpet installation device accordingto claim 1, wherein each of said first and second inner angles areapproximately equal in magnitude and are in the range between about 90°and about 150°.
 6. The carpet installation device according to claim 1,wherein said first and second inner angles are dissimilar in magnitudeand are in the range between about 90° and about 150°.
 7. The carpetinstallation device according to claim 1, wherein said strip is made ofa material selected from the group consisting of wood, plywood, plastic,polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester, polyether, polyureas,polystyrene, and any combination thereof.
 8. The carpet installationdevice according to claim 1, wherein: said means for securing a sectionof carpet to said top surface of said strip is selected from the groupconsisting of: a plurality of tack elements received in and protrudingfrom said top surface of said strip, and adhesive, and said means forfastening said strip to a floor surface is selected from the groupconsisting of adhesive attached to the bottom surface of said strip, anda plurality of nail elements received in said top surface of said stripand capable of being hammered through said strip to protrude from saidbottom surface to enable said strip to adhere to a floor surface.
 9. Thecarpet installation device according to claim 8, wherein said pluralityof tack elements and said plurality of nail elements are spaced atpredetermined positions along said wing sections and said middle portionof said strip.
 10. The carpet installation device according to claim 8,wherein said plurality of tack elements protrude from said top surfaceat an angle in the range between about 15° and about 80°.
 11. The carpetinstallation device according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of tackelements protrude from said top surface at an angle of about 30°. 12.The carpet installation device according to claim 8, wherein saidplurality of tack elements protrude from said top surface at an angle ofabout 45°.
 13. A carpet installation device for attaching carpeting to afloor surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb, said devicecomprising: an elongated strip, said strip having top and bottomsurfaces, said strip comprising first and second outer wing sections,and a middle portion located between said first and second wingsections, said middle portion having first and second opposite ends,wherein said first and second opposite ends of said middle portion arerespectively joined to said first and second wing sections, wherein saidmiddle portion and said first and second outer wing sectionsrespectively define first and second inner angles, said first and secondinner angles are in the range between about 95° and about 150°, andwherein said strip is configured for positioning generally adjacent theperipheral edges of a doorjamb; means for securing a section of carpetto said top surface of said strip; and means for fastening said strip toa floor surface.
 14. A carpet installation device for attachingcarpeting to a floor surface along the peripheral edges of a doorjamb,said device comprising: an elongated strip, said strip having top andbottom surfaces, said strip comprising first and second outer wingsections, and a middle portion located between said first and secondwing sections, said middle portion having first and second oppositeends, wherein said first and second opposite ends of said middle portionare respectively joined to said first and second wing sections, whereinsaid middle portion and said first and second outer wing sectionsrespectively define first and second inner angles, each of said firstand second inner angles are in the range between about 95° and about130°, and wherein said strip is configured for positioning generallyadjacent the peripheral edges of a doorjamb; a plurality of tackelements received in and protruding from said top surface of said strip;and a plurality of nail elements received in said top surface of saidstrip and capable of being hammered through said strip to protrude fromsaid bottom surface to enable said strip to adhere to a floor surface.15. The carpet installation device according to claim 14, wherein eachof said first and second inner angles are in the range between about100°and about 120°.